Convictions Subsequently Quashed

Lord Lamont of Lerwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many occasions in the past five years people have been released from prison after serving more than five years on the grounds that there was a miscarriage of justice.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Figures provided by the Criminal Cases Review Commission show that between 31 March 1997 and 28 February 2003, 85 cases referred by it to the Court of Appeal have resulted in convictions which have subsequently been quashed (including sentence only). Of these, 69 were sentenced to over five years.

Child Protection on the Internet

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Notwithstanding the proposals in the Sexual Offences Bill, what measures they have in place, or are contemplating in partnership with the information technology sector, to ensure the safety of children using the Internet, with particular reference to the work of the Internet Watch Foundation; whether any such measures are operating effectively; and to what extent and in what ways the Government are contributing to any such initiatives.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government continue actively to encourage the Internet industry to support the work of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which represents an effective way for the industry to deal with illegal on-line content. Through the European Commission's e-safe programme, the Government are supporting development of an international network of hotlines for reporting illegal content, of which the IWF is part.
	The Government also work closely with the police, child protection agencies, the Internet industry and others, including the IWF, through the Task Force for Child Protection on the Internet, which is chaired by my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Mr Hilary Benn).
	The then Home Secretary set up the task force in March 2001 to bring together law enforcement, children's charities, the Internet industry and government to work in partnership to tackle child protection on the Internet.
	To date the task force has been responsible for a number of successful initiatives, including:
	a public awareness campaign to alert parents/carers and children to the potential dangers that young people may face online and help them surf in safety. This campaign has now been run on two occasions and is aimed at providing information for parents in supervising their children online and for children in highlighting the risks of giving out their personal details online. Analysis of the first campaign has shown that, in targeting parents and young people themselves it significantly improved awareness of key safety messages amongst target groups;
	developing training for police officers;
	developing a unique set of models of good practice for service providers relating to chat, instant messaging and web services;
	the task force is also taking forward, with the Internet Crime Forum, the development of a shared system for reporting and handling child protection issues and law enforcement requests.
	The task force will continue to work on assessing the new challenges posed by technological developments, such as 3G mobile phones; and developing basic training materials for child protection staff on children's Internet use.
	The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has established the School Internet Safety Strategy Board to advise the DfES on all Internet safety issues, including the use of latest technology. The board comprises representatives from industry, including the IWF, children's charities, parent groups and other government departments.
	The Department for Education and Skills and the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) have produced a detailed information pack for teachers and parents about pupils' safe use of the Internet, and Becta has also begun a process to accredit ICT service suppliers to education.

Internet Watch Foundation

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider arrangements for the funding of the Internet Watch Foundation, aimed at creating a safe environment for Internet use, particularly by children, are adequate; and, if not, whether they have any plans to offer financial assistance.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) performs a unique and valuable role in Internet self-regulation through administering its hotline, which enables users and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to report suspected child pornography and obscene or racist material on the net. The IWF's take-down procedures enable the Internet industry to remove illegal content from their systems, while relevant information is passed on to the police.
	The Government support the work of the IWF and the development of a broader funding base for its work as set out in its recent review of governance. We believe self-regulation is the appropriate framework for the UK Internet industry and that the IWF should continue to be industry funded. We fully support moves to encourage the wider Internet industry to play as full a part as possible in terms of financial assistance and in other ways, to ensure the continuing effectiveness of the IWF.

Communications Data Retention

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in respect of the draft code of practice for voluntary retention of communications data and the consultation paper on it, their policy objectives might be more effectively achieved by a targeted preservation scheme similar to that in the United States.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: As discussed in Section 12 of the consultation paper on the voluntary code, data preservation is a very useful tool but not a substitute for data retention.

Forensic Pathology Services

Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether an independent review into the provision of forensic pathology services has been carried out.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My right honourable friend John Denham commissioned an independent review into the provision of forensic pathology services and the Government have accepted the key recommendations of that independent review. There is clearly a need to establish a unified forensic pathology service to deliver the needs of the police service, coroners and the wider criminal justice system. The Government intends to enable a standard high quality service to be offered across England and Wales; ensure availability of service by providing the framework of a career structure to retain existing practitioners and to attract new entrants to the field; facilitate the provision of specialist regional service delivery centres; and introduce improved management and budgetary controls for the provision of forensic pathology services.
	Officials have been instructed to implement the key recommendations of the review as quickly as possible, with the intention that:
	By autumn 2003 we will move to new accreditation and disciplinary procedures based on model competencies; and have two centres prepared to deliver a training programme against the improved standards.
	By summer 2004 we will aim to have more newly trained, and operational forensic pathologists; an agreed career structure for the future national forensic pathology service; and developed contracts of employment.
	John Denham will continue to take a close interest in progress and will receive regular reports on progress from the programme delivery board established to take this work forward. The delivery board will include representatives of both users and providers of forensic pathology services.
	A copy of the review has been placed in the Library.

Immigration Offences

Lord Gregson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to consult publicly on the implementation of new powers in Sections 134 to 139 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.

Lord Filkin: The Home Office has today published a public consultation document seeking comments on some practical issues surrounding the implementation of new powers in Sections 134 to 139 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. The provisions in question will enable the immigration authorities to require employers and financial institutions to supply information in respect of specified individuals who we reasonably suspect have committed certain immigration offences, including fraud against the national asylum support arrangements. The deadline for responses to the consultation document is 9 June 2003. Copies of the document will be placed in the Library and on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website.

Asylum Claims: Fast-Track Pilot

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the new fast-track pilot scheme will be introduced to process asylum claims.

Lord Filkin: A new fast-track pilot scheme to be introduced in April will radically reduce the time taken to process asylum claims from arrival to removal.
	The pilot will operate at the Harmondsworth Removal Centre and will build upon the reforms in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and the success of the Oakington fast-track process. This new pilot will enable us to deal rapidly with straightforward asylum claimants and to remove those with unfounded claims within four weeks of their arrival.
	The new fast-track procedure rules, to be laid before Parliament later this week, will enable us to pilot fast-track decisions and appeals based upon colocation of key elements of the asylum process. For this to work effectively, we will be detaining at Harmondsworth Removal Centre asylum seekers whose clams appear to be straightforward, pending a decision on their claim. Detention will initially be for about two to five days to enable claimants to be interviewed and an initial decision made. This new process will have bulletin access to legal advice. Detention of asylum seekers for a short period of time for the purposes of making a speedy decision on their claim was upheld last October as lawful by the House of Lords. If the claim is refused or for any reason cannot be dealt with in accordance with the pilot timescales, a decision about further detention will be made in accordance with existing detention criteria. Detention in this category of cases will therefore normally be where it has become apparent that the person would be likely to fail to keep in contact with the Immigration Service or to effect removal.

Home Ownership Task Force

Baroness Thornton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the task force to examine all programmes to support sustainable home ownership as announced in Sustainable Communities: building for the future will meet.

Lord Rooker: The Home Ownership Task Force, which my noble friend Lord Bassam announced to the House on 5 February, will meet for the first time today, chaired by my noble friend Lady Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde. It will consider schemes currently available to potential homeowners on low or modest incomes and identify the most effective ways of promoting home ownership.
	The terms of reference for the task force are as follows:
	Sustainable Communities: building for the future marks a step-change in housing. Resources have been increased substantially to deliver sustainable communities but more needs to be done to help tenants and those on waiting lists to move into home ownership, without the loss of social housing. New ideas and a new approach are vital in helping people on low or modest incomes into home ownership.
	The task force is to examine the routes and methods by which those in housing need can be helped to meet their home ownership aspirations in a way that ensures the sustainability of that ownership and is cost-effective. It will examine who is being helped through current initiatives, to what extent those initiatives free up social tenancies for other occupants and the scope for better targeting and design. It will also take account of the work being undertaken by government departments and others to review issues in relation to existing homeowners.
	The task force will develop a more rational and straightforward suite of programmes to allow social tenants and those on waiting lists to purchase either their own home or another home, while recognising the many different circumstances of aspiring home owners.
	The task force will build on Evaluation of the low cost home ownership programme and other recent ODPM research, consider a wide range of innovative funding proposals and take into account proposals on single tenure, commonhold, flexible tenure, equity shares and new forms of public and private low-cost home ownership schemes.
	Throughout its work the task force will take into account the difficulties faced by traditionally disadvantaged groups such as disabled people and BME communities in accessing home ownership and look at the different problems faced by people wishing to access home ownership in areas of low demand and the growth areas.
	The existing programmes that will be considered are right to buy; rent to mortgage; right to acquire; cash incentive scheme; voluntary purchase grant; shared ownership; do-it-yourself shared ownership; homebuy; and self build.
	The task force will report with recommendations on how the above home ownership objectives can be most effectively delivered.
	The Home Ownership Task Force is due to report in the autumn.
	We are also publishing today the report, Equity Shares for Social Housing, in fulfilment of our 2001 manifesto commitment to consider equity shares. Equity shares are one way to deliver our objectives to promote home ownership, increase asset ownership and improve the image of social housing. The report concludes that the costs of introducing equity shares are likely to be substantial, while the scale of benefits is highly uncertain. We will continue to keep this issue under review.

UK Domestic Economy and Exports

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the debate on the euro and the dollar on 29 January (HL Deb, cols. 1223–46), what percentages of the United Kingdom economy, measured by total final demand, are involved in (a) the domestic economy; and (b) exports to (i) the European Union; and (ii) the rest of the world.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Table 3 of the 2002 input output tables gives a breakdown of total final demand in the United Kingdom economy. Table 9.3 of the United Kingdom Balance of Payments: The Pink Book 2002 gives a breakdown of UK trade in goods and services. These can be found at http://www. statistics.gov.uk.

UK Domestic Economy and Exports

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the debate on the euro and the dollar on 29 January (HL Deb, cols. 1223–46), what percentages of the United Kingdom economy, measured by total final demand, are denominated in (a) sterling; (b) the United States dollar; (c) the euro; and (d) other currencies; and what methodology they use to calculate such percentages.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: These figures are unavailable as a percentage of total final demand.

UK Domestic Economy and Exports

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the debate on the euro and the dollar on 29 January (HL Deb, cols. 1223–46), what evidence they have to support the statement by Lord McIntosh of Haringey that, "it is where we do the trade, not the currency in which we invoice, that matters . . . A large proportion . . . of UK trade is in sterling . . . If we entered the euro, all that trade would instantly be invoiced and denominated in the euro". (HL Deb, col. 1243)

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: As set out in the Paper for the Treasury Committee on the Treasury's approach to the preliminary and technical work, published on 6 September 2002, a number of supporting studies will be published alongside the assessment of the five economic tests. A supporting study will be published examining the likely impact of EMU on UK external trade with the euro area and the rest of the world. Further detail can be found in the 6 September paper.

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act: Cost of Litigation

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the cost to date of litigation under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.

Lord Goldsmith: I understand the Question as relating solely to the litigation costs of the Home Department. Litigation sevices under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 are provided to the Secretary of State for the Home Department by the Treasury Solicitor's Department. The cost of these services to 10 February 2003 is £105,530.82, excluding disbursements incurred but not yet paid.

DTI Conferences: Cost

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the cost to the Department of Trade and Industry of conducting conferences in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Department of Trade and Industry spent £2.030 million for financial year 2001–02 on conducting conferences.

Hull: Level of Poverty

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are their plans to reduce the level of poverty in Hull.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Our commitment to tackling poverty and social exclusion throughout the United Kingdom is well known. In particular, we have made a clear pledge to abolish child poverty in a generation—and to halve it by 2010.
	The fourth opportunity for all report (Cm 5598) set out the action we have taken to tackle poverty and social exclusion. Progress is monitored against a wide range of indicators.
	In Hull and East Riding there is a comprehensive range of Sure Start programmes designed to give every child the best start in life by bringing early education, childcare, health and family support to young children living in disadvantaged areas. In addition, we have introduced a number of work focused initiatives, for example 19 training providers offering work based learning for adults and jobsearch programmes.

Hull: GCSE Pass Levels

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the percentage pass rates at all levels for GCSEs in Hull; and how this compares with the national average.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The pass rates for each grade in GCSE examination entries made by 15 year-olds in 2001–02 were as follows:
	
		Percentages 
		
			 GCSE Grade Hull England 
			 Grade A* 1.2 5.0 
			 Grade A 4.2 11.4 
			 Grade B 9.7 17.4 
			 Grade C 20.1 23.7 
			 Grade D 18.6 17.7 
			 Grade E 17.8 12.1 
			 Grade F 13.4 7.0 
			 Grade G 8.3 3.3 
			 Grade A*–C 35.2 57.5 
			 Grade A*–G 93.3 97.6 
			 No grades result 6.7 2.4 
			 Number of entries 22,168 4,952,487

Museum Funding

Lord Freyberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How their response set out in Cm. 5772 to conclusion (iv) of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee report National Museums and Galleries: Funding and Free Admission fulfils the committee's recommendation that the current process for allocating funds to museums should be modernised.

Baroness Blackstone: The Government's response shows that there is already a process of dialogue at both official and ministerial level, that the dialogue is informed by evidence from the museums and galleries and that the Government have sought specifically to protect their core funding, including support for their collections and curatorial expertise. The response explains that the strategic objectives of each museum are linked to the Secretary of State's objectives through a funding agreement. The Government will continue to seek improvements in the allocation process through dialogue with our sponsored museums and galleries.

North/South Ministerial Council

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With the suspension of the devolved administration in Northern Ireland, what detailed arrangements have been put in place to replace the North/South Ministerial Council decision-making process; and whether this is an interim measure which can have no impact on long-term policy-making or new areas of activity.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 18 December 2002 (WA 104).
	The exchange of notes has been laid before both Houses of Parliament (Cmd 5708).

Northern Ireland: Offences Recorded and Cleared

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the year ending 30 April 2002, what percentage of crimes notified to the Police Service of Northern Ireland resulted in either a caution or a conviction; and how that compares to the average percentage for the rest of the United Kingdom.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Information on crime figures is not available in the format requested. However the following table shows notifiable offences recorded and cleared by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the financial year 2001–02.
	
		
			 Offences recorded Offences cleared % Clearance Rate 
			 139,786 Charge/summons 20.1 
			  11,808 (42%) 
			  Caution (1) 
			  3,506 (12%) 
			  Taken into consideration 
			  439 (2%) 
			  Offender under age(2) 
			  219 (1%) 
			  Complainant declined to prosecute 
			  10,140 (36%) 
			  Otherwise disposed of 
			  2,030 (7%) 
			  
			  28,142 
		
	
	(1) Includes juvenile advice and warning.
	(2) Under 10 years old.
	The overall crime clearance figure for England and Wales for the same period was 25 per cent. This breaks down as:
	Charge/summons 15 per cent
	Caution 4 per cent
	Taken into consideration 2 per cent
	Other 4 per cent.
	No comparable figures are available for Scotland.

Northern Ireland: Burglary

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the year ending 30 April 2002 how many incidents of burglary were notified to the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and how this figure compares to the number of notified instances of burglary in the previous two years.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The following table shows the notifiable offences of burglary recorded by the police in the financial years 1999–2000 to date.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of Offences 
			 1999–2000 16,064 
			 2000–01 15,845 
			 2001–02 17,143

Northern Ireland Railways: Freight

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans Northern Ireland Railways have for freight traffic over the next two years.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Northern Ireland Railways has no plans to expand rail freight over the next two years but will continue to appraise new opportunities as and when they arise. However, given the relatively short journeys involved within Northern Ireland, rail freight struggles to compete with road freight.

Ballymoney: Power Station Application

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will hold a public inquiry into the planning proposal to build a power station and an open-cast lignite mine near Ballymoney in Northern Ireland.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Department of the Environment's planning service received the environmental statement required for this planning application on 17 February 2003 and has now validated the application. The application and the environmental statement will be advertised in the local newspapers and in the Belfast Telegraph shortly.
	Following consideration of the advice from the consultees and representations made in respect of the application and the environmental statement, a decision will be taken on how to proceed with the application and whether this will be by way of public inquiry.

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the announcement of 24 February concerning investment for the Northern Ireland Health Service, the £29 million provided for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service is new money which has not been announced before; over what period it will be available and for the development of what part of the ambulance service.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The sum of £29 million from the strategic investment programme announced on 24 February will enable the Government to make good and enhance the balance of the £16.2 million investment pledged in July 2002, some £4 million of which has already been committed in 2002–03 and 2003–04. This substantial funding includes £3.0 million for the reconfiguration of ambulance control and communications systems and some £26 million to take forward the modernisation and improvement of the ambulance service set out in the implementation plan for the 2000 Strategic Review. Detailed annual expenditure will be profiled once decisions have been reached on the best approach to financing.

Northern Ireland: Protestant and Roman Catholic Employment Data

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the change in the numbers of Protestants and Roman Catholics in employment in Northern Ireland over the past 10 years.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The most recent available data disaggregated by religion are from the 2001 Labour Force Religion Report. The following figures are grossed up estimates of those in employment for the two religious groups derived from the annual labour force surveys for the years 1991 and 2001. These are sample surveys and the results are subject to sampling error.
	
		
			 Both sexes 1991 2001 Net Increase %Increase 
			 Protestant 345,000 377,000 +32,000 +9 
			 Roman Catholic 216,000 278,000 +62,000 +29 
			  
			 Males 
			 Protestant 198,000 209,000 +11,000 +5 
			 Roman Catholic 121,000 156,000 +35,000 +29 
			  
			 Females 
			 Protestant 147,000 168,000 +21,000 +15 
			 Roman Catholic 94,000 122,000 +27,000 +29 
		
	
	(All calculations in the above table are based on unrounded estimates. The figures presented have, however, been rounded to the nearest 1,000 persons for ease of reference).

Northern Ireland: Protestant and Roman Catholic Employment Data

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What evidence they have of unemployment differentials between different denominations within the Protestant community in Northern Ireland.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: According to the 1991 census, which provides the most accurate information currently available, the levels of unemployment among the main Protestant denominations within Northern Ireland were as follows:
	
		
			  Unemployment Rate 
			  Male Female Both Sexes 
			 Presbyterian 10.94% 6.90% 9.27% 
			 Church of Ireland 15.74% 9.54% 13.19% 
			 Methodist 10.52% 6.88% 8.94% 
		
	
	The relevant results from the 2001 census will be published shortly.

Potters Bar Rail Accident

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of correspondence from the Health and Safety Executive or British Transport Police to representatives of families bereaved or injured in the Potters Bar rail accident.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: It would be inappropriate to release this correspondence.

Potters Bar Rail Accident

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What evidence of criminal negligence by track staff the British Transport Police has discovered in respect of the Potters Bar rail accident; and whether any such evidence has been communicated to (a) the representatives of those bereaved or injured; and (b) organisations and companies involved in the accident.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: All evidence gathered by the British Transport Police (BTP) in respect of the Potters Bar rail crash will be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for its consideration. It is not appropriate to release details of any such evidence while the investigation is still in progress.
	The BTP and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have a confidential relationship with the bereaved and injured involved in the Potters Bar rail accident. This is based on the recommendations made by Sir William Macpherson of Cluny on the relationship between victim and investigator in his inquiry into the matters arising from the death of Stephen Lawrence.
	The BTP and the HSE have given other interested parties the opportunity to view and comment on technical and forensic testing to ensure that all relevant issues are explored. This process has been endorsed by the CPS as being in the best interests of fairness.
	The BTP also has a duty to release safety-critical information obtained in its investigation of the accident to the industry, normally through contact with the HSE and Railway Safety. The BTP and the HSE also have a duty to release information to the industry's formal inquiry panel which is charged with identifying safety-critical issues and lessons to be learned from the crash.

Drivers: Eyesight Tests

The Earl of Caithness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 11 March (HL1978), what are the terms of the agreement to set up an expert working party; who comprises the party; from whom it will take evidence; when it will report; what the cost will be; and who will fund it.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The European Commission's proposed working group on eyesight standards for driver licensing has not yet met and the information requested does not yet exist. The UK will be represented on the working group by a senior medical official of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Drivers: Eyesight Tests

The Earl of Caithness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 11 March (HL1978), whether the setting up of the expert working party in any way prevents the United Kingdom from taking action on its own, should Parliament decide to do so.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The medical standards for driver licensing in member states of the European Union are set out in Annex III to Directive 91/439/EEC. It lies within the competence of the European Commission to adapt these standards to scientific and technical progress as set out in Directive 97/26/EC. The setting up of the proposed working group does not of itself inhibit the United Kingdom from taking action on its own within that framework. It will provide an opportunity to consider evidence and best practice from across the EU to better inform policy and procedures.

Drivers: Eyesight Tests

The Earl of Caithness: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 11 March (HL1981) that, "no official statistics are available attributing road traffic accidents to specific medical conditions, including defective eyesight," whether this is consistent with the Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 11 March (HL1979) that "in 2001 there were 228 driving incidents in which eyesight might have been a factor."

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The advice I gave on 11 March in the Written Answer (HL1981) does not conflict with that given by my noble and learned friend Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 11 March in the Written Answer (HL1979). My Answer stated that there were no official statistics attributing road traffic accidents to specific medical conditions, including defective eyesight and thus the case. My noble and learned friend Lord Falconer said that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency was informed by police of 228 driving incidents in the year 2001 in which defective eyesight may have been a factor. These statistics do not constitute evidence of accidents that can be attributed to defective eyesight. They are notifications of incidents which, in the view of the policeman attending, may have been contributed to by an eyesight problem. As well as accidents, the figures include incidents such as where a motorist has been stopped for erratic driving.

West Highland Mainline

The Earl of Mar and Kellie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to improve the West Highland mainline in respect of (a) maximum line speed; and (b) the length of passing loops.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The Strategic Rail Authority's strategic plan contains no such plans. The authority is acting as the agent of the Scottish Executive for the reletting of the Scotrail franchise. It is for the executive to determine the service improvements they wish to see.